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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MOTION TO INSTRUCT CONFEREES ON H.R. 4348, SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
EXTENSION ACT OF 2012, PART II
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speech of
HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON
of texas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of
Congressman Walz's Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4348, the
surface transportation reauthorization bill. This motion would instruct
conferees to resolve all issues and file a conference report no later
than Friday, June 22nd. June 22nd is exactly 100 days since the Senate
passed its bipartisan surface transportation bill by an overwhelming
vote of 74 22. As a conferee to the transportation bill, I support this
motion as we simply cannot afford to further delay this critical
legislation.
This conference process has been bogged down by House GOP conferees,
who are obstructing the process and standing in the way of the jobs
that would be created by passage of this bill. We are in the height of
the summer construction season, and without a transportation bill, we
are wasting an opportunity to spur our manufacturing sector and get
those in the construction industry back to work.
Mr. Speaker, if House Republican conferees are going to stand in the
way of a conference report, I ask that you call up S. 1813, the Senate-
passed MAP 21. We do not need another piecemeal extension. We need a
comprehensive reauthorization.
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